Iran and Saudi Arabia asked to join BRICS anti-Western coalition.

The BRICS Bloc Expands to​ Reshape‍ the‌ World Order

The BRICS bloc of developing nations has⁢ made a historic decision ⁤to admit Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt,⁤ Argentina,⁢ and the United Arab Emirates. This move aims ‌to accelerate their push to reshape a world order they see as outdated.

The ⁣group’s leaders have ​left the door ​open for future enlargement, potentially allowing dozens more countries to join. This desire stems from their goal ⁢to‍ level⁤ the⁢ global playing ‍field, which they ‍believe is rigged against them.

This expansion‍ adds ​economic heft to BRICS, which currently consists of China,‌ Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa. It also amplifies their ambition to become champions‍ of ​the Global South.

However, tensions may persist between members who want​ to counterbalance the West, such as China and Russia, and those who maintain close ties with the United States and Europe.

“This membership expansion is ‍historic,”⁣ said Chinese‌ President Xi Jinping, a staunch advocate for enlargement. “It⁣ shows the determination ⁤of BRICS countries⁣ for unity and⁣ cooperation with ‍the broader developing‌ countries.”

Originally coined by Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O’Neill⁢ in 2001, the bloc was founded as an informal four-nation club‍ in 2009 and later added South Africa. Now, six new ⁤candidates will formally become ‌members on January 1, 2024, according to South⁣ African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The ‍inclusion ‍of oil powers ⁢Saudi‌ Arabia and the UAE highlights⁤ their ⁤shift away from the ⁢United States’ orbit ⁤and their ambition⁤ to become global heavyweights in their ‌own right.

“BRICS has embarked on ​a new‍ chapter in its effort ‍to build a fair, just, inclusive, and prosperous ​world,” stated Ramaphosa. “We have consensus on the first phase of this⁤ expansion process, and ​other‌ phases‌ will follow.”

BRICS ​Friends and Allies Lead Candidates

The countries invited to join reflect‍ the‍ desires of individual BRICS members to ‌bring their allies into the club.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio⁣ Lula da Silva‍ had‌ vocally lobbied for Argentina’s inclusion, while Egypt has close​ commercial ties‍ with‍ Russia and ⁣India.

Russia ‌and Iran have found common cause in their shared struggle ‌against‍ U.S.-led sanctions and diplomatic isolation, ⁢leading ‌to deepening economic ties ‌following Moscow’s ‌invasion ​of Ukraine.

“BRICS ‍ is not competing with anyone,” emphasized Russia’s Vladimir Putin. “But it’s also obvious that this process⁤ of the emerging of a new world‍ order still has fierce opponents.”

Iran’s President Ebrahim ⁢Raisi celebrated ​his country’s invitation to join BRICS with⁣ a swipe at Washington,‌ stating, “The expansion‍ of BRICS shows that the unilateral approach is on the ​way to⁢ decay.”

Beijing’s close ties with Ethiopia also speak to South Africa’s desire⁢ to amplify Africa’s ⁢voice in global affairs.

Pledge to‍ Rebalance World Order

In a reflection‍ of the bloc’s growing influence, United⁢ Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended Thursday’s expansion announcement. ​He ‍echoed BRICS‘ longstanding calls for​ reforms of the⁤ U.N. Security Council, the International Monetary Fund, and⁤ World⁣ Bank.

“For multilateral institutions to remain truly universal,⁤ they must reform to reflect today’s power and economic realities,” Guterres emphasized.

Despite being home to ‍about 40 percent of the​ world’s population and⁣ a ​quarter of global GDP, ‌internal divisions have hindered BRICS‘ ambitions of becoming a major player on the world stage.

BRICS countries have vastly different​ economies ⁣and often divergent foreign policy goals, complicating the bloc’s consensus decision-making model.

The debate over enlargement⁢ has dominated ⁢the summit⁣ in South Africa. While all BRICS ⁤ members publicly express⁤ support for growth, there are divisions among the leaders regarding​ the extent and speed of expansion.

Last-minute deliberations over entry criteria ⁣and which countries to ‍invite extended late into​ Wednesday‍ evening.

China, as a⁢ heavyweight in⁢ the bloc, has long advocated for BRICS expansion​ to ⁣challenge⁢ Western​ dominance, a‌ strategy ‍shared by Russia.

Other ​ BRICS members support fostering the creation of a multipolar global order. However, Brazil and India ​have also been forging closer​ ties ⁢with the West.

Brazil’s Lula⁣ rejected⁣ the idea that the bloc should seek​ to rival the ⁢United States ​and the Group of ⁣Seven wealthy economies.

(Additional reporting by ‌Sergio Goncalves in Lisbon, Ethan Wang in Beijing, Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow, and Elwely Elwelly in Dubai; Writing‌ by Joe Bavier; Editing by Toby Chopra and ‌Emelia Sithole-Matarise)